EAR Education Against Racism

One of the problems that we face when fighting the scourge of racism is that there are a few people who declare themselves as racists, even though many of them have racist attitudes. It is very hard to fight these attitudes, since they are internalized as “normal”, socially accepted and invisible.

From here stems the idea of an “invisible racism” that extends the concept of “racism” to every kind of discrimination by a group or an individual who feels superior to others or another.

In the field of non-formal education we have been working for years promoting intercultural learning, tolerance, equal rights and peaceful coexistence. Since they are voluntary activities, we can reach young people who are already sensitive towards this topic. This Programme’s new Action allows creating collaboration between formal and non-formal education, as it is important to encourage measures to prevent racism and to make young people aware of racist attitudes that may go unnoticed. The best way is to do this in youth main socialization centres: schools.

Therefore, our most important tool is an education that can help us to make racist attitudes and behaviour visible.

As for formal education institutions, due to their focus on merit and competitiveness they leave aside topics that are fundamental to build the society, such as coexistence and citizenship.

Increasing cases of bullying left unpunished by social networks are detected and sexist ideas remain strong on our youth’s mind. An outbreak of violence is taking place nowadays inside schools, that is why the creation of anti-violence strategies by the same institutions is essential, as well as knowing non-formal education methods and the EU programmes from which they can benefit.

Non-formal education organizations require collaboration with the formal education system to produce joint action strategies. This is exactly the main objective of EAR project.